Ames, Iowa
March 13, 2007
Asian soybean rust has never been
identified in an Iowa field since the disease was reported in
the continental United States in November 2004. However, the
disease now has been conclusively identified on soybean plant
tissue, which was submitted to the Iowa Soybean Rust Team last
week. This soybean residue is reported to have been recovered
from a bin of soybeans produced in Iowa in 2006. Efforts are
underway to identify other remnant plant residue that may show
symptoms and signs of the disease in order to discern details of
this event.
The fungus and the spores that cause the disease cannot survive
without green leaf tissue and will die during Iowa winters. The
recently discovered rust fungus does not pose a risk of
infection for the 2007 growing season in Iowa.
"The fast, conclusive identification of soybean rust in this one
particular plant residue sample illustrates the rapid diagnostic
capabilities available at Iowa State University to protect the
state's soybean crop from the threat of this disease," said
Iowa State University
College of Agriculture Dean Wendy Wintersteen.
"This discovery reminds us that it is possible for Iowa fields
to become infected with this disease," said David Wright,
director of contract research at the Iowa Soybean Association.
"Nonetheless, growers should not overreact to this development.
Instead, growers must be ready to act appropriately and
economically in 2007 should this disease again show up in Iowa
and be a threat to soybean yields."
Bill Northey, Secretary of Agriculture with the Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, said the finding does not
necessarily increase the risk for next year's crop.
"The confirmation of this disease in the 2006 crop does not
guarantee that we will have Asian soybean rust in the 2007 Iowa
soybean crop. As in previous years, producers should monitor
conditions that favor rust and consult with extension
specialists on identification and management plans. However, it
is imperative for producers to avoid the inclination to panic
and take drastic, costly and unnecessary action before
positively identifying soybean rust in their fields," Northey
said.
The Iowa Soybean Rust Team comprises personnel from Iowa State
University College of Agriculture and ISU Extension, the Iowa
Soybean Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service. The Iowa Rust Team recruited and trained more than 600
agribusiness professionals from 2004 to 2006 to serve as "First
Detectors" who can examine leaf samples and decide whether the
samples warrant further investigation for possible infection
with soybean rust by ISU Extension personnel in the state or by
campus-based ISU scientists.
Growers are encouraged to consult with Iowa Soybean Rust Team
First Detectors in the 2007 growing season if they observe
plants that they suspect might have soybean rust. There is no
charge to consult with these First Detectors concerning possible
soybean rust infections. The names and contact information for
First Detectors is available on the Internet at
www.soybeanrust.info and at county extension offices. |
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